Free “firewood”

[John Murray]

Newby question: If you saw this on CL would you go grab some to see if there was a diamond in the rough or would you pass? They do not identify what kind of wood it is other than stating it is hardwood.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

If you are a newby you most likely need practice so what better could you ask for then free. Ask what species tree and get together with a local club for pointers.

 

[Richard Coers]

If you do go, you will likely bring home some critters. Spiders, termites, and powder post beetle are the most frequent travelers, but I don't know about your area. Maybe too dry for all those except for spiders. I'm guessing it will also be full of cracks. I see a ton of hobby stuff that is full of cracks, not to my liking. Personally, I would pass.

 

[hockenbery]

I would invest in a half hour drive.
The few times I have been to california a half hour drive could be 3 miles or 50

Difficult to tell much from the photo. Cracks will be in all pieces and rot in some.
Might have trouble finding rot free pieces.
A couple of pieces appear to be burls but won’t have any value if rotten.

You need to be sure that the cracks and rot are such that you can mount the wood safely.
Avoid any rotten pieces.
Might get pieces for turning weed pots which look fine with cracks.

 

[John Torchick]

I would be reluctant to drive a distance and find I had firewood. Suggestion- contact one or two tree services in your area. Ask what trees they will be cutting. Sometimes, you can get some quality wood as walnut, cherry, maple from them. Just need to seal the ends and let it dry. Make a pen or something else from the wood you get from them. I have several pieces of cherry in the storage building that needs to be cut into sections and turned.

 

[Richard Coers]

I would be reluctant to drive a distance and find I had firewood. Suggestion- contact one or two tree services in your area. Ask what trees they will be cutting. Sometimes, you can get some quality wood as walnut, cherry, maple from them. Just need to seal the ends and let it dry. Make a pen or something else from the wood you get from them. I have several pieces of cherry in the storage building that needs to be cut into sections and turned.

Did you look at his location John? La Mirada, Ca. Thats southeast of LA. Not much cherry and maple around there. Doubt if there is much walnut either, unless you go to a farm.

 

[Zach LaPerriere]

Looks like an epoxy show to me with some rot, but some potentially promising stuff. I don't enjoy glue, but I give all my partly rotted wood to a friend who does and he makes amazing things. He routinely sells work between $2-500, a labor of love, but it pays for a shop full of exciting tools.

 

[John Murray]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback. My ears are tuned in for chainsaws running and I have been able to pick up a cheap few pieces to practice on recently. I felt the wood in the CL ad was probably too far to waste my time on but because there appeared to be some burl in the pieces I didn’t want to let a good opportunity pass me by. I did decide to pass on that batch as it would’ve been a good hour and a half drive one way and I did not think it was worth the effort. I am a member of the local club and have met with one of the mentors which has been very helpful as well. Thanks again for your input.

 

[John Torchick]

Saw it. I wouldn't drive any distance unless I knew definitely what I was getting. 90% of my wood, fortunately, was cut within 100 yards of my house. Cherry, Bradford pear, dogwood.